Senator presses IRS about bogus tax returns

Fraudulent tax returns filed under the names of dozens of Tampa Bay residents are getting the attention of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Nelson sent a letter to IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman and IRS criminal investigation chief Victor Song on Tuesday, bringing attention to the more than two dozen taxpayers who have reported the issue in Pinellas County.

"I am concerned by recent published reports of possible tax refund scams," Nelson said in the letter. Attached was a report from tbo.com/The Tampa Tribune.

He referred to reports from taxpayers that it could take up to three years to process their real returns, saying:

"Meanwhile, a crook or crooks are out there - who knows how widespread the problem is - with enough personal information about people to fill out tax returns so believable the IRS accepts them."

Also attached was a copy of a $6,277.10 check received by Clearwater resident James King.

King received the check in late February and, though it was from a bank and not the Treasury Department, determined that it was for a tax refund.

Although King had not filed his taxes for 2010, he says the IRS confirmed a refund had been issued to him. Someone apparently had used King's name and social security number to file a return and receive a refund.

The return was filed electronically and the money was heading for a cash card, but an issue kicked that money back to the processor for the bank, and a paper check was issued and sent to the address connected with the return - King's address in Clearwater.

Since King's story appeared on News Channel 8, more than a dozen others have related similar stories. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said it has received more than 25 reports, some from people who have received checks and others from those who tried to file tax returns but discovered someone already had done so using their name.

Nelson urged the IRS to "take appropriate and swift action to investigate and determine the scope of this problem while also identifying a remedy."